Surabaya, The City of Heroes, is the second-largest city in Indonesia, and although it is not as popular a tourist spot as many other cities nearby are (think of Bali and Mount Bromo, for example), it is actually a place worth visiting even so. This is a business hub and a major commercial center, and this means that it has some of the best accommodations and most modern entertainments available in the country.

Surabaya’s name comes from the local words for “shark” and “crocodile”, according to the legend, but you are not going to find any sharks or crocodiles here—at least, unless you visit the city’s business districts, where the competition can be fierce among financial moguls and moneymakers. Most of Surabaya, though, is friendly and welcoming. You can easily hobnob with locals in the markets and even do a bit of haggling with them at certain shops. Since Surabaya is a city with connections to so many other big cities and towns in the country, you can expect it to have many delicacies from nearby places as well. Souvenir shopping can be great fun here.

Surabaya also has a lot of excellent modern amenities. Rustic this city is not, but for homesick travelers and businessmen seeking the modern comforts and amusements of home, it is the perfect place to get what they need. Modern theaters and shopping arcades abound, as do bars and golf courses. The Ciputra Waterpark offers some relief on summer days and some beautiful old structures from colonial eras remain amidst the modern bustle when you feel like seeing something more culturally and historically significant.

Surabaya is a place you should not scorn to visit in Indonesia, especially if you find yourself looking for some more modern luxuries. This is a city chock full of them and it should see to your needs very well.

Surabaya is the capital of the East Java province and the second largest city in Indonesia. When considering the city’s top tourist attractions, the Surabaya Zoo usually takes a leading position as one of the most visited destinations in the city. The zoo is not only the largest of its kind in the country, but also the biggest zoo in South East Asia that occupies more than 15 hectares. The prominent zoo has not only put Surabaya on the map but the entire South East Asian region boasts of the Bonbin as well. The locals, however, prefer to call it the Kebun Binatang Surabaya or the KBS.

Surabaya Zoo – Indonesia

The KBS has been the largest and most complete zoo in South East Asia since 1916. It has a width of about 15 hectares. Originally part of the Dutch colonial heritage, the zoo is divided into a nice habitat for birds, a fresh water aquarium and a nocturnal environment. It has more than 400 animal specials both exclusively found in Indonesia and those from abroad and more than 3,500 animals. The zoo was originally built in Kaliondo back in 1916 by a journalist and animal collector named H.F.K. Kommer. A year after, it was moved to Groedo Street. Finally, it was moved along Setail Street 1 beside the Joyoboyo station in year 1920. [Read more…]

The MPu Tantular Museum continues the legacy of the Sedelijk Historisch Museum, which was founded by a German man named Von Vaber who later became a Surabaya citizen. Basically, the museum tells the long history of the city right from the birth of Surabaya.

The main building of the museum had already been erected by year 1933 but was only inaugurated four years later, in July of 1937. The original concept of the museum was to present the history of Surabaya as the hometown of Von Vaber. Through time, it then accumulated a cultural agency that finally took the form of a museum. [Read more…]

The Chinese and the Arabs make up a significant portion of the population in Surabaya. It is then not surprising to know that both groups of people have a place that they can call their home away from home. Just like the Chinese having a Chinatown in Surabaya, the city also has its version of Arab town. The Surabaya Arab Quarter is specially marked by its famous market, Pasar Ampel.

Pasar Ampel is the Arab market of the city of Surabaya and is famous because of its huge size. The market is also known as the Center for Middle East market because most of the traded goods are typically found in the Middle East. Unsurprisingly, the market is found inside the Arab quarter, which is locally known as the Kampung Arab because of the large population of Arabians who live in the area. Unique Arabic houses made of bamboo line the streets of the quarter with architecture mostly reminiscent of the colonial times. [Read more…]

The tropical climate of the East Java region is typically Indonesian with plenty of sunny of weather. This means that the weather in Surabaya enjoys regular highs at more than 30 degree Celsius throughout the entire year. Similar to South East Asian countries, Surabaya experiences two main periods of weather: the dry season and the wet season.

The entire Indonesian archipelago has a tropical climate with seasons based on its monsoons. Its weather is then determined by factors such as the movement of air, temperatures and humidity. The dry season of Surabaya is exactly what it claims, a hot climate with minimal rains. Such hot climates fall between the months of May and September with the driest months during July and August. [Read more…]

Compared to the rest of South East Asia, Indonesia rates relatively well in terms of hygiene and medical facilities. Despite these claims, some might say Indonesia still has a long way to go, especially where health in Surabaya is concerned.

Rumah Sakit Surabaya – Indonesia

No one wants to have a medical emergency in a foreign country so it is best to play it safe and make sure you take all precautionary measures before you arrive in the city. The first thing to settle is your medical insurance. Make sure to have insurance that will evacuate you if you are in need of immediate medical attention from illnesses or serious injuries. Your insurance will then airlift you to Singapore or your home town. [Read more…]

The Ciputra Waterpark is the newest recreational venue of the city of Surabaya. Opened in August of 2005, the water park covers an area of 5 hectares and is the largest water park ever built in Indonesia. It was inspired by the epic tales of Sinbad. Sinbad may no longer a famous children’s bedtime story but little ones will be able to enjoy the adventures of Sinbad first-handedly at the water park. The water park uses the most modern water park technology, making the 1001 nights adventure a true experience. The water park has six different attractions that can give both kids and kids at heart an unforgettable adventure in the Sinbad water world.

Ciputra Waterpark in Surabaya – Indonesia

The Sirens River was specifically designed to bring calmness and serenity amidst a pool of water. Relax at the water park’s version of a lazy river as you flow along the 425 meter-long artificial river.

The Chimera Pool was made exclusively for children as it is equipped with a small fountain that suddenly shoots out water without knowing when. This will be quite amusing for small children who just love being surrounded by water. [Read more…]